A project led by idiosyncratic, deadpan singer/guitarist Ed Seed, Stats' theatrical, '80s-hued dance/art-rock highlights the banality of everyday life. The group's loose, funky approach was exemplified on their debut album, 2019's Other People's Lives, which was born out of improvised jam sessions. Stats founder Ed Seed drew his initial inspiration from working office jobs in London. To offset the drudgery of unfulfilling employment, he wrote indie songs on the side, eventually becoming part of La Roux's backing band. The experience taught him that he could create pop music with a little more sheen without breaking the bank. Now with a clearer vision, he assembled Stats, bringing in John Barrett (drums), Stuart Barter (bass, backing vocals), Duncan Brown (guitar), Nicole Robinson (keys, samples, vocals), and Isobel Waller-Bridge (keys, samples, vocals). Soon after, they released their debut single, 2013's "Simple Minds" and an EP, 2014's Where Is the Money, though they faded out afterward as Seed devoted more time to touring in Dua Lipa's backing band and becoming a father. Nonetheless, they continued writing music sporadically, leading to the mini-album Temping, which was released on cassette in 2016. Eventually, Stats hunkered down to write their debut full-length at London's RAK Studios. To give the record a spontaneous vibe, they recorded a series of extended jams from which they carved out the tracks that would make up the album. The resulting Other People's Lives arrived on the Memphis Industries label in early 2019. Well-received by major publications in the U.K. and making NME's Album of the Year list, it prompted a follow-up with the same lineup. Named for the city in Wales where it was recorded, near where Seed grew up, Powys 1999 was delivered by Memphis Industries in late 2020. ~ Liam Martin & Marcy Donelson